Which scandinavian country to visit

As the capital city, most Norwegian tours will start, if not pass by, beautiful Oslo. Chances are, you will fly into Oslo, making it a perfect first stop on your itinerary! Oslo is where nature meets urban vibes. Head outdoors to admire its green hills and mountains, or enjoy the vibrant cultural life, visiting the world-renowned museums and galleries, such as the Munch Museum or the Viking Ship Museum.

As an archipelago within the Arctic Circle, this region has plenty to offer in terms of dramatic scenery with mighty mountains, craggy coastal lines, pristine waterways and quaint fishing villages.

This is an excellent place to visit for keen bird watchers, and for those chasing the northern lights! Admire the mighty mountains, stunning fjords, and powerful waterfalls. Conquer your fear of heights at the gravity-defying Preikestolen. It takes approximately 4 to 5 hours to make this 8km 5 miles round trip. Sognefjord itself also extends inland to Jotunheimen and Jostedalsbreen national parks. Escape to an area of renowned natural beauty! Make sure to spend a day cruising along their peaceful waters, looking up at the steep mountainsides, trying to spot some wildlife, and enjoying the views of the powerful waterfalls, such as the iconic Seven Sisters and Bridal Veil.

Discover Stockholm, the enchanting capital of Sweden. Here you can spend your days discovering Swedish culture and history.

Wander through the cobblestone streets of the 13th-century old town Gamla Stan , which is dotted with interesting attractions such as the Nobel Museum and the Royal Palace. With its chilled-out and trendy vibes, the country's second city is one of the best vacation spots in Sweden.

Make sure to dine at one of the romantic gastropubs in Haga, ride rollercoasters at the s Liseberg amusement park, and take a cruise along the Gothenburg archipelago. During the day, you can try your hand at fun winter activities such as dog sledding, snowshoeing or snowmobiling. Cross the Baltic Sea to Helsinki and experience Finnish culture at its finest.

We recommend checking out the Design District, Temppeliaukion an incredible rock-carved church , and Market Square, among many other fantastic attractions. Relive childhood fantasies by visiting the official hometown of Santa Claus in the capital of Finnish Lapland. You can sit back and admire the views from the wood-panelled retro carriages — or head to the piano bar for a drink.

Treat yourself to a night or two in a real Swedish castle or grand manor house. These are some of the best ones. There are an estimated two million of the things in Finland — not bad for a country of around 5.

They consider the sauna to be healthy, enjoyable, and an integral part of their social life. The sauna can even be a place to do business deals. Finland has been called the land of a thousand lakes — although, in fact, there are closer to , The cold, clear water is perfect for jump into after a sauna, but there are all sorts of other activities you can enjoy on the water, like this canoeing trip in Finnish Lapland.

Not bad, eh? Reasons why the Scandi countries rate so highly include a lack of corruption, high life expectancy, good health and social care, high incomes, and low levels of gender and wealth inequality.

All the Scandinavian countries are expensive to visit, with the cost of eating out and alcohol particularly high, though public transport often costs less than you might expect. For more details on what you can expect to pay for day-to-day items, see our guide to costs in Sweden and Norway.

In winter, you can enjoy the archetypal snowy landscapes, skiing and polar nights at least in Sweden, Norway and Finland. Check out our guides for more on the best time to visit Denmark , Norway and Sweden. All the Scandinavian flags feature the Nordic cross in an off-centre design in various colours.

Denmark, Finland and Sweden are members of the EU. See also: Cool places to stay in Scandinavia Best places to visit in Scandinavia. We'll never spam you. Unsubscribe at any time.

Thanks for the comment! I think you missed the point Carol was trying to make: that in the guide, it says that even people in Scandinavian countries dispute which countries are actually Scandinavian, and Carol points out that she, as a Scandinavian, says that no one she knows of in these countries question it. Great article, thank you! So… what are the Nordic countries?

Where actually is Scandinavia? Fetching directions Reset directions Print directions. Essential facts about Scandinavia Here are some handy facts and figures about this vast region.

What do the Scandinavian flags look like? It is essential to visit Norway if you want to experience true Nordic lifestyle. Because where else you will find this kind of package that includes unique food, breathtaking landscapes of nature and ancient Viking heritage? Norway is the land of fjords — long and narrow inflows, created by a glacier long time ago. If you would go to New York, there is no way you would miss seeing the statue of Liberty. It is the same with the fjords in Norway.

Best way to see their majestic mountain peaks and waterfalls is by taking a cruise trip. You will be able to make tons of amazing pictures and will have just enough time to take a peek into these amazing creations of nature.

However, visiting cities in Norway is as highly recommended as going for a hike to the mountains. The biggest cities like Oslo, Bergen or Stavanger are the perfect places to do several historic and urban tours or just to enjoy the vibrant energy after spending some time in nature.

Stavanger is a former European Capital of Culture and there is a reason for that! The second largest city in Norway is called Bergen but some people like to call it the most photogenic place in the world. Colorful crooked houses in the city center, a stunning fish market, little cafes approved by locals and seven mountains guarding the city will give you a very welcoming impression and will leave you wanting more.

At the end of your trip to Norway, stay for a few days in Oslo. Here you will enjoy nature, culture, design, entertainment, whilst at the same time visiting high-end architectural work — Oslo Opera House, open-air statues museum in Vigeland Park, historical Viking Ship Museum and lots of more interesting places of the city.

Finland is the republic of winter, snow and deers, of course! It is a great place to enjoy big city life and visit tourist attractions, as well as discover less known cool places. Finland has a bunch of amazing small towns and villages, where you can feel the true spirit of local life. The list of villages is huge! Medieval city Turku is the oldest city in Finland. Besides the castle yes, Finland is famous for its citadels and Cathedral you can have a great walk along the Aura river.

It is full of cozy restaurants, beautiful buildings, resting boats, various artworks and is perfect for a sunny afternoon walk.